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The Innocence Mission — When Mac Was Swimming
Album: Befriended
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1692









Released: 2003
Length: 3:41
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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When Mac was swimming I was running late,
walking around New Orleans looking for a birthday cake.
It was a great surprise to him so many people came.
Nobody knows, darling.
Nobody knows how they are loved.
Don't worry, my darling, the sun's coming up.

Let's get up early now, dive clear into the day.
Let's get out of the car with open arms,
not wait to be embraced.
The flowers that grew, the things that happened
since the day you came.
Nobody knows, darling.
Nobody knows how they are loved.
Don't worry, my darling, the sun's coming up.
Comments (245)add comment
8 to 9
Posted 7 months ago by Pazu    [ Reply ]

Macs don't swim all that well...
Posted 1 year ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Within the first few bars I'm transported into an ocean of love. Never heard this song before today but before she even began singing, I fully resonated with every note
Posted 3 years ago by TrevorWGoodchild    [ Reply ]
 dragonflygal wrote:

Isn't this the same woman who sings with The Sundays??




no.
Posted 3 years ago by Huddersfield    [ Reply ]
this song hits me at the spot 
Posted 3 years ago by jugece    [ Reply ]
Man these guys are great, going to give them a 9
Posted 4 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Class and Talent are a boundless here
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
Just lovely.  The singer reminds me of Emilíana Torrini
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
One of the happiest, sweetest songs I know.  Like a child's smile, there's no defense for it.
Posted 4 years ago by david927    [ Reply ]
enjoying waking up to this. 
Posted 5 years ago by niseywee    [ Reply ]
like seeing an old friend!
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]

 

More of The Innocence Mission please.  How about "Lakes of Canada" from "Birds of My Neighborhood"?  Just a thought.

 

Posted 5 years ago by mardisoninnc    [ Reply ]
I would love to hear this again sometime soon please, Bill. It is a lovely poem of a song.
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Fantastic! Thank you RP. 
Posted 9 years ago by kicking    [ Reply ]
I suddenly regret throwing darts at that old lady outside...
Posted 9 years ago by CaffeineSam    [ Reply ]

A Mac goes swimming,
Posted 10 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
i hear a bit of "paved paradise and put up a parking lot" kind of honesty in her voice.

thanks, rp 
Posted 10 years ago by KaraokeVox    [ Reply ]
hey another new band i'm turned on to by RP.   what a sweet voice - reminds me of
The Sunday's singer, Harriet Wheeler.
Posted 10 years ago by Highspirits    [ Reply ]
Her voice really reminds me of Alanis Morrisette. Am I the only one thinking so?
(A bit less bitter though...) 
Posted 10 years ago by evermovingtarget    [ Reply ]
Wish they were still doing "Pop" music with Don on the Gretsch electric.
Posted 10 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

And I absolutely love both groups. The music will automatically land me smack dab in the middle of a huge meadow of sunflowers. Of course, I'm about a hundred pounds lighter, rocking a pair of Daisy-Dukes, my hair is honey-blonde, and I have a glass of expensive champagne in my hand when that little butterfly kisses my cheek and flutters away. 

For those who can't slog through my dream-world, this song makes me happy. {#Sunny}

 



 
Sweet early spring moment
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Sounds a bit like "the phantom of the opera"
Posted 10 years ago by paigews    [ Reply ]
¡Que bella canción!
{#Moon} 
Posted 10 years ago by ericcabrals    [ Reply ]
 HonduranRed wrote:
beautiful

 
I agree!
Posted 11 years ago by grazie    [ Reply ]
beautiful
Posted 11 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
Like a pot of hot chamomile tea with honey on a cold winter's night like this, it just hits the spot.
Posted 11 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:
terrible voice!
 
Define terrrible. Define voice. Define what the hell you mean. Please
Posted 11 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Very annoying voice.....
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:
terrible voice!
 
Just what the doctor ordered, a lovely, soothing song.  We can't all be helgigermanys.

Posted 11 years ago by blackjackshellac    [ Reply ]
terrible voice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
When Mac Was Swimming, he busted his motherboard...
Posted 12 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
what a lovely song... (sighs)
Posted 12 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
 bev wrote:

Yes. They play this one to calm the inmates at the asylum. Nah, I do sorta dig this, but it seems to conjure both lazy beautiful days — as some here noted — and also a sort of methadone-induced haze. No rating from me at this time. Carry on.
 
True.   It has a slow motion, stupor quality to it.  I love this comment, even if you are not sure about the song.
For me, since I was a kid in the 70s, it just makes me think of that time.  When I did not worry about things so much, just go out and "play" with other kids.  No pressure.  Seems like so much simpler a time.  I bet everyone thinks the same about the past though, it's normal.   

 
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Nice.  ... But wait, how did we get here from Free Four?  Amazing.
Posted 12 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
I find Innocence Mission's arrangements often sublime. Expansive with just a small, laid back ensemble.
Posted 12 years ago by bytheway    [ Reply ]
This song is Killing me Softly.
Posted 12 years ago by CruzanBits    [ Reply ]
so pretty...sounds like she's speaking a language other than english
Posted 12 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
That reminds me, Carla Bruni will have to start earning a living again now.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
like the first few days of spring after a long dreary winter
Posted 12 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:
Oh, the variance of mood. . . I had this as a 2 and just changed it to 8. Lovely.
 
Totally get that. It feels like a 2 to me today, too; but on another day it would probably feel like a 6 or 7. So, I defer my rating until another day/another mood!
Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
this has to be the most soothing and relaxing tune ever written
 
Yes. They play this one to calm the inmates at the asylum. Nah, I do sorta dig this, but it seems to conjure both lazy beautiful days — as some here noted — and also a sort of methadone-induced haze. No rating from me at this time. Carry on.
Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
soothing!!
Posted 12 years ago by BLADERUNNER    [ Reply ]
Love this....8
Posted 12 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
always like them with REM.
 
Posted 12 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
Heaven on earth, Bill!!!{#Notworthy}
Posted 12 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
 patrick30 wrote:
this song just fits perfect at the moment. looking out the window-first snow in austria!!
 
Perfect song no matter what or when......
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Oh, the variance of mood. . . I had this as a 2 and just changed it to 8. Lovely.
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
this song just fits perfect at the moment. looking out the window-first snow in austria!!
Posted 13 years ago by patrick30    [ Reply ]
 alanthecowboy wrote:

Nope, this is the vocalist from The Innocence Mission...  Sorry, couldn't resist.  Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) and Karen Peris do sound somewhat alike, but they are two different people.

 
And I absolutely love both groups. The music will automatically land me smack dab in the middle of a huge meadow of sunflowers. Of course, I'm about a hundred pounds lighter, rocking a pair of Daisy-Dukes, my hair is honey-blonde, and I have a glass of expensive champagne in my hand when that little butterfly kisses my cheek and flutters away. 

For those who can't slog through my dream-world, this song makes me happy. {#Sunny}

 


Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 michaelc wrote:
is that the vocalist from the sundays ? 
 
 
Nope, this is the vocalist from The Innocence Mission...  Sorry, couldn't resist.  Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) and Karen Peris do sound somewhat alike, but they are two different people.

Posted 13 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
is that the vocalist from the sundays ? 
 
Posted 13 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
 editorp wrote:

Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser
R.E.M. - Nightswimming
The Innocence Mission - When Mac Was Swimming

you for Bill There's...


 
lol

Posted 13 years ago by Fredrikson    [ Reply ]
 sub-arctic wrote:
The Innocence Mission - When Mac Was Swimming
R.E.M. - Nightswimming
Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser

There's Bill for you...


 
Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser
R.E.M. - Nightswimming
The Innocence Mission - When Mac Was Swimming

you for Bill There's...




Posted 13 years ago by editorp    [ Reply ]
Mission accomplished! Now I know what it feels like to be a young girl running freely through a field of wild flowers in a loose cotton dress. Hey! Why is everyone looking at me that way? I didn't say I "wanted" to be a young girl.
Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 efaulkjr wrote:
Great follow up to REM's "Nightswimming".  Great work, Bill!
 
He does know what he's doing, doesn't he? Maybe I oughta do some swimming, nightly.

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Great follow up to REM's "Nightswimming".  Great work, Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by efaulkjr    [ Reply ]
Warm, reassuring sunshine on an unfamiliar beach. The soft caress of a much needed love. A cool drink on a hot summer day in the middle of August. These things are what permeate my senses when I hear this tune. I love it. 
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
That's really really nice... I've put this on my wish list.
Posted 13 years ago by Dgradeworkunit    [ Reply ]
 ernest3 wrote:
Love the Innocence Mission!  Love this song!  And a nice transition from REM's Nightswimming.

Thanks for making my day better :)
 
Ditto.

Posted 14 years ago by suebee3    [ Reply ]
This is my favorite Innocence Mission song {#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Gawd, I love this song!  Gives me chills! :swoon:{#Good-vibes}
Posted 14 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:
This has a real Camera Obscura vibe. Very nice.
  That’s who they remind me of.

Posted 14 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
I don't know exactly what it is about The Innocence Mission that makes me grin, but I just do. Maybe it's the way I feel when their music washes over me like a warm wave of sunshine. Maybe it's that fragile vocal. All I know is that I love this band (and "band" seems too harsh a word to use in describing them. Maybe "collective" would work. Or "gathering.")

Loves me this flock.
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
This is what you get when you throw the Kings of Convenience, the Velvet Underground, and Belle and Sebastian into a mixer. Very smooth music. Love the voice and the mood.

Posted 14 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
Love the Innocence Mission!  Love this song!  And a nice transition from REM's Nightswimming.

Thanks for making my day better :)


Posted 14 years ago by ernest3    [ Reply ]
Love this song for a long time now. Up from 9 to 10
Posted 14 years ago by RoyalTS    [ Reply ]
Bit of a VU/Nico vibe...
Posted 14 years ago by bbryan    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to simpler times .... nice song
Posted 14 years ago by No_Where_Man    [ Reply ]
Love this song, love her voice ... reminds me of the Sundays.
Posted 14 years ago by hkarr    [ Reply ]
this has to be the most soothing and relaxing tune ever written
Posted 14 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Talking about "Angelic" voices....
Posted 15 years ago by namp    [ Reply ]
 cactus7709 wrote:
FIrst time i hear this group....they're good
 
and they've been around A LONG time
Posted 15 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
This has a real Camera Obscura vibe. Very nice.
Posted 15 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
FIrst time i hear this group....they're good
Posted 15 years ago by cactus7709    [ Reply ]
Wow, you really touch me with Innocence MIssion. Thanks !!!!!
Posted 15 years ago by echowebpr    [ Reply ]
Lovely!! And I don't usually care for IM.
Posted 15 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]
When Mac was swimming I was running late,
walking around New Orleans looking for a birthday cake.
It was a great surprise to him so many people came.
Nobody knows, darling.
Nobody knows how they are loved.
Don't worry, my darling, the sun's coming up. Let's get up early now, dive clear into the day.
Let's get out of the car with open arms,
not wait to be embraced.
The flowers that grew, the things that happened
since the day you came.
Nobody knows, darling.Nobody knows how they are loved.
Don't worry, my darling, the sun's coming up.
Posted 15 years ago by laroue    [ Reply ]
The Innocence Mission - When Mac Was Swimming
R.E.M. - Nightswimming
Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser

There's Bill for you...


Posted 15 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
I guess you need to just sing him a few notes and he'll get back to you.  I'm doomed to the pits methinks...  {#Doh}

 Bleyfusz wrote:

So what about the rest of us {#Eek} ?
 

(her voice is very cute though, in the same way Hope Sandoval, Harriette Wheeler, and Ambrosia Parsleys' are)

Posted 15 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
one of my *favorite* songs ever discovered on RP. Wonderful.
Posted 15 years ago by amma123    [ Reply ]
 Canoe52 wrote:
Who are these guys?? They're great! Only on Radio Paradise...
 
they've been around for a long time. I use to go see them when I was in school back in the late '80s.
Posted 15 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
 RobK wrote:
I know Karen is religious.  I'm not.  When I hear her sing, I hope she's right.  With a voice like that, she deserves to go to heaven.   {#Heartkiss}
 
So what about the rest of us {#Eek} ?


Posted 15 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}


Posted 15 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
Makes me think of walking in the park, in the fall, at dusk, with the sun lighting up all the leaves and putting reds and oranges all around you.
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
...PC was drowning?

Yeah, I know somebody must have already said this, but I'm too lazy to page back.
Posted 16 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Ooohh! New for me, but I like! She has a voice like Metaxa Brandy, smooth with a bit of a bite, and gives you the shivers...
Posted 16 years ago by chrysalis94952    [ Reply ]
It's sleepy song..., but she gives me more and more energy for work! Nice
Posted 16 years ago by topsy    [ Reply ]
 laozilover wrote:
That does it! I've heard this TOO MANY TIMES on RP! I gots ta get me dis record!!
 

And there's not a bad tune in the entire work of music for this CD.
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Too tired and full of McDonalds to enjoy this...but it is nice.

I would almost like it better if she were singing the "Phantom of the Opera" theme to this kind of music. It almost sounds like she is in the first couple lines.
Posted 16 years ago by baltimorelovejoy    [ Reply ]
Well this is a real yawner isn't it?
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
I know Karen is religious.  I'm not.  When I hear her sing, I hope she's right.  With a voice like that, she deserves to go to heaven.   {#Heartkiss}
Posted 16 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
A gorgeous song from a wondrous album.
Posted 16 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
I shouldnt like this song but for some reason i do.
Posted 16 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
I *like* her voice.
Posted 16 years ago by darkhorse53    [ Reply ]
That does it! I've heard this TOO MANY TIMES on RP! I gots ta get me dis record!!
Posted 16 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Holy crap this is good. Nothing like being surpised by good, new music.
Posted 16 years ago by goldberry    [ Reply ]
awesome set list going this morning!
Posted 16 years ago by brownbrown    [ Reply ]
Killing me softly.
Posted 16 years ago by CruzanBits    [ Reply ]
I'm usually lukewarm on Innocence Mission, but this one is quite nice. The lower register suits her voice much better (imho) than the high register she usually sings in.
Posted 16 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
Essbee wrote:
Sounded good until she started singing. An example of the "can't-sing-but-sings-anyway" style popularized by Edie Brickell. Barf.
Couldn't disagree with you more......
Posted 16 years ago by Chazar    [ Reply ]
nice tune
Posted 16 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
prickelpit96 wrote:
No way out..I have to purchase this. I fell in love with her voice.
You won't be sorry...entirely lovely.
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Sounded good until she started singing. An example of the "can't-sing-but-sings-anyway" style popularized by Edie Brickell. Barf.
Posted 16 years ago by Essbee    [ Reply ]
TobyRush wrote:
Her voice actually reminds me a bit of Edie Brickell...
Interesting. I lent Karen Peris an Edie Brickell CD several years ago.
Posted 16 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
sfuller wrote:
I was waiting for a segue into 99 Red Luftballons.
Posted 16 years ago by Barman    [ Reply ]
I was waiting for a segue into 99 Red Luftballons. I do like her voice and the musical arrangement on this is nice too
Posted 16 years ago by sfuller    [ Reply ]
coffee-eyes wrote:
Sounds like Harriet Wheeler from The Sundays.
I agree!!
Posted 16 years ago by JaeRae    [ Reply ]
Ah....really lovely, sweet...
Posted 16 years ago by PurplePrincess    [ Reply ]
This song messes with my psychologically. Not sure what happened - but I always get the same visuals and feeling of anxiety of when I was a little kid after getting back from Sunday school with that anticipation of the day being half over and school was tomorrow! Ahh!!
Posted 16 years ago by Duluoz    [ Reply ]
Chumbawamba-1984 wrote:
Maybe too much popcorn and beer while watching nascar on espn?
Posted 16 years ago by Neon    [ Reply ]
Beez wrote:
This song makes me vomit.
Maybe too much popcorn and beer while watching nascar on espn?
Posted 16 years ago by Chumbawamba-1984    [ Reply ]
Her voice actually reminds me a bit of Edie Brickell...
Posted 16 years ago by TobyRush    [ Reply ]
gjeeg wrote:
Innocence Mission (Karen Peris and her brother) define melancholy. Gorgeous, haunting, moody.
Don Peris is Karen's husband, not brother, and they have two children, which she's singing about here. Karen plays piano and sings, Don plays guitar and Mike Bitts plays bass.
Posted 16 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
A perfect song for this cold, snowy, sleepy Michigan morning ....
Posted 16 years ago by awfavre    [ Reply ]
pelipeli wrote:
Her voice sounds like Natalie Merchant...
actually the lead singer of IM has recorded a with Merchant. I believe it was on Merchant's Ophelia album.
Posted 16 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
Really nice flow to the music, nice balance and voice so well matched :)
Posted 16 years ago by tiare    [ Reply ]
Beautiful.
Posted 16 years ago by p4jkafla    [ Reply ]
Innocence Mission (Karen Peris and her brother) define melancholy. Gorgeous, haunting, moody.
Posted 16 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Such a great song from such a beautiful album. Gentle, pensive, delicate music with such a characterful and expressive vocal performance. Perfect for a relaxed Sunday morning.
Posted 16 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]